Contents

History

In 1984 Carfax was founded in Columbia, Missouri by a computer expert named Ewin Barnett III.[1] Barnett was initially trying to combat odometer fraud. By working closely with the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, in 1986 he offered the early version Carfax vehicle history report to the dealer market. These reports were developed with a database of just 10,000 records and were distributed via fax machine. By the end of 1993, Carfax obtained title information from nearly all fifty states. In December 1996, the company's website was launched to offer consumers the same vehicle history reports already available to businesses. In the Fall of 1999, Carfax became a wholly owned subsidiary of R.L. Polk & Co..[2]

Products and services

Carfax offers several free products and services and charges a fee for more comprehensive reports.

Free products and services

The company offers four vehicle research services—Lemon Check, Record Check, Recall Check, and Problem Car. While these services are helpful, they do not contain all of the information provided in a full Carfax vehicle history report.

Vehicle history reports

The Carfax Vehicle History Report is the company's core product. Users purchase either a single report or create an account for building multiple reports for different vehicles, allowing consumers to utilize Carfax over a period of time as they search for a vehicle. Additionally, buyers can request Carfax reports free-of-charge from auto dealers, and some automakers routinely provide Carfax reports as part of their pre-owned vehicle programs.[4][5]

Information sources

Carfax has access to seven billion records from more than 20,000 sources, including motor vehicle departments for all 50 U.S. states and all 10 Canadian provinces. The company's information sources include U.S. state title and registration records, auto and salvage auctions, Canadian motor vehicle records, rental and fleet vehicle companies, consumer protection agencies, state inspection stations, extended warranty companies, insurance companies, fire and police departments, manufacturers, inspection companies, service and repair facilities, dealers and import/export companies.[6][7]

Although Carfax continuously expands its database and resources, some information is not allowed to be provided. Under the 1994 Drivers Privacy Protection Act, personal information such as names, telephone numbers and addresses of current or previous owners are neither collected nor reported.[8] Carfax does not have access to every facility and mistakes are sometimes made by those who input data. In the event information is disputed but cannot be verified, Carfax allows consumers and dealerships to add information to its reports.[9]

Corporate overview

Carfax prides itself on providing a challenging and creative work environment, where t-shirts and jeans are favored over suits and ties.[10] Staff events have included go-carting, scavenger hunts, softball, trivia games and other activities. A large company cafe seats 300 employees at weekly catered lunches, a company tradition that encourages better communication.[11] Walking through Carfax offices might reveal basketball hoops, putting greens and dartboards.[12] Carfax has been featured in Washingtonian magazine's "Great Places to Work" series.[13][14]

In 2007, the company launched a carbon-neutral campaign at its Carfax 250 NASCAR Busch Series race, billed as the first-ever carbon-neutral stock car race. Working with the Conservation Fund, Carfax has sought to offset carbon emissions generated from its day-to-day business operations, including company-supported events, corporate travel and its marketing and sales operations.[15]

To keep the cost of its products affordable, Carfax has invested a new generation of customer support software that provides responses to customer questions.[16]

West v. Carfax, Inc

In a 2006 class action lawsuit, West v. Carfax, Inc., the plaintiff claimed that Carfax violated consumer protection laws by not disclosing the limitations of their service, specifically their inability to check accident records in 23 states in the U.S. while stating that their database contains information from all 50 states[17]. The lawsuit was settled in May 2007 in the Trumbull County Common Pleas Court in Warren, Ohio[18][19]. Carfax spokesman Larry Gamache said more than 10 million consumers were affected. The company asserts that it has major accident information from all 50 states and it backs up its claim with a buyback guarantee.